Event Information

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Refunds up to 30 days before event

Event description

Description

On Saturday 10th February, I will be hosting a Valentine’s Day mandala workshop practicing loving kindness and compassion for the self through the creative art of Mandala. A journey of self-awareness in which we can clear ourselves of expectations that we may have taken on around romantic love and replace them with compassion and love for ourselves. Our heart expands when we learn to bring ourselves into the circle of kindness that we often reserve for others. This nurturing and creative day is a beautiful way to lead up to Valentine's Day, to release the expectations that we may have manufactured and to embrace ourselves for who we truly are. “You've been criticising yourself for years and it hasn't worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” Louise L Hay

Creating a mandala with awareness to our internal voice and fully experiencing and bringing awareness and love to that voice is the key of self awakening. Creating a Mandala connects us with our true nature, centering us fully in the energy of NOW – the present moment. The creation of mandalas is an active meditation for the purpose of personal growth and self healing and manifestation. When we work with our mandala we may experience moments of clarity, harmony, peace and inner happiness.

"After drawing my circles with the compass, I relaxed into a meditative, quiet space and let my hand be guided into creating shapes and choosing the colours. In this stillness, questions, insights arose from a deep place, reminding me of what my heart and soul is really seeking. Since that day, whenever I now look at my Mandala, I am taken back to that place of stillness and centeredness. Thank you Patricia for creating that space." Noreen O'Donoghoe, participant at Mandala Workshop at The October Gallery London, 8th November 2014.

At the beginning of the workshop, I will explain my journey and experiences with Mandalas and what they mean for me. We will then do an awareness meditation together, feeling where it is in our mind, body and spirit that we need to work on with our Mandala. After the meditation, we will begin on the journey of creating mandala and work in silence together, focusing on our intention and awareness on the piece.

There will be an hours break for lunch and please feel free to bring along a packed lunch or there are some very nice eateries within a short walking distance. After lunch we will do a short mindful chocolate meditation (because it is Valentine's week!) *If you have special dietry requirements, I would request that you bring along chocolate or some other small thing that you are able to eat. We will then return to our creations and keeping in the flow the energy of our experience. On completion of your mandala, I will guide you on a deep Yoga Nidra Meditation which will seed the experience within. Please bring along a yoga mat and blanket as the meditation will be lying down and will last approximately 45 minutes.

“Self-love is not the process of ignoring things, paying attention to fewer flaws or forcing yourself to look away from the parts of you that you perceive as ugly or unwanted. Self-love is the process of expanding your awareness, of seeing those flaws and imperfections alongside the incredible potential of the universe flowing within you, alongside the eternal truth of life flowing within your veins in each second, alongside the flickers of creativity and opportunity present within each moment of your existence. Like this, the imperfections persist, but only as lovable quirks, like a bad doorknob on the front door of a cottage in paradise, like a few thorns on a beautiful rose, like a cloud in a sunset. Like this, what was once unwanted becomes essential, memorable, humbling.” Vironika Tugaleva

A litte about mandalas

The word mandala comes from Sanskrit means circle, center, circumference, sacred circle or magic circle. In eastern spiritual traditions, a mandala is a form of sacred art that depicts the totality of the self. In Islamic tradition also, the mandala features amongst their most beautiful mosques and illuminated manuscripts. In Christianity too….think of those beautiful stain glass windows throughout the ages. Ancient Celtic art, Vedic art, Meso-American, Native American, Aboriginal, Hindu, Taoist and indeed all faiths feature the powerful mandala. Swiss-German psychoanalyst Carl Gustav Jung found the mandala which is such an ancient archetypal manifestation that appears in all Eastern and Western religions, mythology and rituals – to be a powerful tool for growth and transformation, a symbol of wholeness.

The mandala represents both the self and world. The universe itself is a mandala. The earth, sun and moon are round. Everything alive – plants, animals and human beings – consists of cells. Each cell is a mandala. Even the seasons and the life cycle of human beings is a circle, so it is in everything where power moves. The circle is the symbol of one, wholeness and centering. It represents infinity and eternity, having no beginning and no end.

Finding your true centre

When we consciously connect with our true centre, indescribable happiness ensues. To help to feel one’s own centre is to stay conscious, no matter what might happen, no matter what one does at any time, to watch oneself consciously. As Marcus Aurelius quoted: “You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” When we truly get in touch with our true nature, we are in total peace. Imagine you are sitting in the eye of hurricane, you feel the sense of peace, stillness and calmness. If you begin to move away from the centre, everything will fall back into chaos and distortion. And when you can get to the place of your true centre, you begin to gain true perception. Physical movements like dancing are a great to way to find one’s true centre, especially the whirling dance of the Islamic dervishes. They spin and whirl in order to find in their central place; calmness. If we do not succeed to finding the centre, we become dizzy. When we connect our centre and dance, we are able to spin around almost without limit and and forget the 'self', becoming one with the music.

FAQs

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

There is parking onsite through the gate to the right of the main door.

What can/can't I bring to the event?

Bring along some bottled water, a yoga mat and blanket and perhaps a nice comfy cushion for a relaxing deep Yoga Nidra at the end of the day. If you are alergic to normal chocolate, please bring along a small piece of chocolate/sweet that you can eat.

If you would like to bring a packed lunch along, there is a small kitchen and a wonderful little courtyard to sit should the weather be kind! Otherwise there's plenty of little places to eat nearby.

Can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Of course. Just call me on 087-6329125

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, just your name at the door will be fine....let's save some trees.

The name on the registration/ticket doesn't match the attendee. Is that okay?

Yes, that's fine. If another person is going in your place, just tell them to mention the original name under which it was booked so that I can tick it off.